"Miss Rice Shower, what do you think of this proposal?"
Taking the draft handed to her, Rice looked it over. It was the classic "Black Assassin" style for Rice Shower.
However, by comparison, it felt a bit plain, lacking many decorative elements.
"The designer created this based on Rice's current aura and image, right?" Starlight asked curiously from the side.
"Yes. After all, Miss Rice Shower has a somewhat melancholic aura, which, combined with her cute looks and hair color..."
"She's actually very sharp when she's racing. Perhaps you should observe her temperament during a race?" Starlight suggested.
The designer nodded, looking startled.
"Miss Starlight is right. Hm... then please wait a moment, Miss Rice Shower. I'll go draft Miss Starlight's initial design. When both are ready, you can raise any opinions or improvements together."
During this time, the two Uma Musume weren't left idle, they were called into separate rooms by other staff members to have their physical measurements taken.
Seeing this, our "Kaicho", the Student Council President, could no longer sit still. She casually bought a single white rose, paid, and walked toward the boutique.
"Eh! Empe—"
"Shh~ Don't disturb them."
Rudolf reached out to silence the female staff member standing nearby. "Which room is Starlight-san in?"
The staff member calmed her racing heart and, with a trembling hand, pointed toward the room on the left. Nodding, Rudolf gave her a slight smile and walked toward the room.
Facing the wall, Starlight was stretching her arms straight according to the staff's instructions. A measuring tape was then wrapped around her waist and two points on her chest.
"Alright, you can lower your arms now, Miss Starlight."
"Thank you..."
"It's no problem, we've already—"
"Already what?"
'What's going on? Why did the voice stop?'
Just as she was about to turn her head, a familiar breath brushed against her ear.
"Don't turn around. It's me..."
The warm breath tickled Starlight's ear, making her feel a bit itchy.
"Pre—President?!"
"Come, keep your arms straight, we're continuing."
"I don't want to! Didn't we just finish?"
"No... there are still some important data points. Be a good girl."
Half-doubting, Starlight raised her hands again. The measuring tape once more encircled her chest.
...
...
...
After a long while, Starlight's arms began to tremble.
"Is it still not done?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, Student Starlight, your clothes are too thick, the data is inaccurate. Do you want to..."
Before Rudolf could finish, Starlight's face flushed red, and she spun around to push Rudolf out of the room.
"Excuse me, Mr. Designer, are my measurements finished?"
"They are complete, Miss Starlight."
Folding the measuring tape, Starlight slowly stepped out of the cubicle, looking at Rudolf who stood there with her arms crossed.
"President, please don't play jokes like that next time."
Seeing Starlight's serious expression, Rudolf waved her hand and said, "I understand..."
'Did I overdo it?'
But that thought hadn't even lasted two seconds before Starlight's expression shifted.
"Rice-chan~ Are you done with your measurements? Do you want me to help you~?"
Staring with wide eyes as Divine Starlight turned and headed straight for the other room, Rudolf's brow twitched.
"Eh!!? Starlight... I—I haven't—"
Hearing Rice Shower's shy cry, Rudolf stepped in, grabbed Divine Starlight by the back of her collar, and hauled her out. The two locked eyes for a moment.
"You lecture me, yet look at yourself."
"Ahahaha, wasn't I just joking?"
"Joking, are we?"
Seeing the "kind" smile spreading across Rudolf's face, Starlight quickly waved her hands dismissively.
"Alright, alright, President, I'll stop messing around. Let's be serious, okay?"
"Mhm."
To the bystanders, seeing Rudolf in that particular outfit hauling Divine Starlight around made it look exactly like a teacher catching a student skipping class, it was incredibly comical.
"Is the initial draft ready? Shall I help you look it over?" Rudolf asked.
After setting Starlight down, she reached out to smooth the wrinkles in the girl's clothes while she spoke.
"It's almost done. The designer has it, we should be able to see it now. But what about your work, coming all the way over here like this?"
"I left it to the Vice President."
"How can you be like that, Madam President... didn't I say I'd send you a photo?"
Rudolf simply smiled and waved it off, taking the white rose she had bought and tucking it next to Starlight's cross earring.
"What did you put on my head?"
"A flower I bought from the shop across the street. I thought it looked quite nice."
"Really? Let me see—"
Starlight scurried over to the mirror to check. Meanwhile, Rudolf turned to find the designer.
She picked up the initial draft of Starlight's Racing Outfit. The overall design resembled a white Western-style dress paired with a black half-cape adorned with a blazing sun pattern.
The skirt was a black-and-white two-tone miniskirt, with golden auspicious cloud patterns etched into every pleat.
"Was this your suggestion?"
"Not entirely. It's a mix of my ideas and the designer's," Starlight replied.
Rudolf felt it was quite good, there wasn't much worth changing. If she had to complain, it was only that the outfit wasn't physical yet, so she couldn't see Starlight wearing it.
She set the draft down and turned around, only for her brow to furrow instantly.
"Rice, look at this on me. Does it look good?"
Rice Shower, having finished her measurements, stood beside Starlight with a slight blush on her face, nodding in praise.
"It... it looks very beautiful. it suits you perfectly, Starlight."
"The way you two are dressed today is unexpectedly coordinated," the designer remarked. "Would you mind if I took a few photos for reference?"
"No problem..."
Rudolf stood with her arms crossed, her index finger tapping rhythmically against her arm. She found the scene a bit hard to swallow.
'If I had known, I wouldn't have bought that flower.'
Starlight and Rice stood together. On their heads, the blue rose and the white rose leaned in, gently touching.
Stepping out of the shop, Starlight spoke to the two behind her. "So, are we heading back now? I want to stop by the dessert shop."
"Rice will go with Starlight."
"Fine, then I'll—"
Rudolf was just about to agree when the phone in her bag began to ring.
"Hello? Who is it?"
"President, please come back immediately. There's a slight issue with the stage construction that requires your personal decision."
Taking a deep breath, Rudolf glanced at the two Uma Musume beside her. "Alright, I understand."
"Well~ the Best Idol event is about to start, so you're very busy. Then, President, Rice and I will be heading off first!"
"Mhm. Don't forget you said you'd come to the Student Council tomorrow."
"I know! By the way, my probation period is almost over, right? Does that mean I can go back to class soon?"
"That is the case, yes."
"Eh? Is the President perhaps reluctant to see me go? I didn't realize my charm was so great."
"Who's reluctant? I'm simply worried that another situation like yours might occur and affect the other students." Rudolf countered.
"The Student Council can function perfectly fine whether you are there or not."
"Is that so? I guess I was just flattering myself then. Uwahhh... Rice, I'm so sad. Let's hurry and get some cheese mousse to soothe my soul."
"Mhm... O-okay."